Trick or Treats That Are Beyond Sweet from Disney, The Pure Bar and Good Earth

Goodies that are beyond good!

Halloween often has us buying bags of candy for the children that WE end up eating before they even arrive. This year, try a preemptive strike and stock your cupboard with healthy treats made from real fruits and vegetables. Also treat yourself to a new Make Up Bag from Soho's new collection featuring Disney's evil queens. Lastly I have some pumpkin spicy perfume that will have you thinking "pumpkin pie"!  Here we go:

Pure Organic Bars and Vegan Perfect Bars
Treat yourself and your Halloween guests to these delicious, natural bars made from whole grains and healthy ingredients. I really enjoyed the peanut butter Perfect Bar which screamed "nuttiness" when I opened the wrapper. These are kept chilled in the refrigerator while the Pure Organic Bars are more of a fruit / vegetable leather texture. Both bars are beyond excellent with wholesome, organic ingredients. These are available at Wegman's and Sam's Club - both places where I like to shop. Check them out online at ThePureBar.com and PerfectBar.com

See all the yummy yet healthy varieties at ThePureBar.com and PerfectBar.com

Soho Beauty Cosmetic Bags and Disney's Evil Queens
Show up at a Halloween Party toting one of these "bad girls" and people will know you mean business! Fully lined make up bags with some of Disney's most notorious queens: Snow White and Malificient
See them in Walgreens or check out all the styles at SohoBeauty.com

Soho Beauty's Evil Disney Queen Collection

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice Perfume
If you want to wear a fragrance that seriously smells like pumpkin pie right out of the oven, try this!

M.O.D. Perfume is naturally made.

Good Earth's Spiced Pumpkin Artisanal Fragrance
I would recommend having some pumpkin pie around because you (and others) will definitely want a slice after getting a whiff of this. Made from all natural, organic ingredients like pure olive and jojoba oils and essential oils, it is lovely to roll on the skin. 

Good Earth's Natural Spiced Pumpkin Perfume

Tricked Out Treats for Halloween!

Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine - New Natural Skincare Products

Freshen up! Time to spring clean your beauty routine.

Springtime in NY: The (slightly) warmer temperatures this week just makes us want to throw off layers of all sorts including makeup and skincare products. If you've been battling the cold dry air of winter, then now you may not need such heavy creams and foundations. I've rounded up some of the best new skin pampering products and gadgets that may be flying under the radar. While you are at it, this is a good time to toss out your old toothbrush and makeup sponges for a really fresh start this spring. Here we go:

Clean up your act: Sonicare Toothbrush, Ayurvedic Soap & Lotus Softsonic Brush + Cleanser

Philips Sonicare Toothbrush - Spring is time to chuck your old toothbrush. Why not upgrade to a Sonicare?  I've used one for years and usually replace the brush heads every 3-4 months. It does an amazing job of cleaning your teeth and this model, the 2 Series is great for plaque removal.

WaterPik Sonic Toothbrush & WaterFlosser - The Sensonic Professional Plus actually blows the Sonicare Flexcare out of the water...literally! You also get THREE unique brush heads, a carry case and a very well made re-charge stand. This model toothbrush also has a 30 second quadrant pacer and two speeds. It is very effective and in my opinion, a better value than Sonicare. WaterPik Water Flossers have been around for a number of years and this Aquarius designer unit is very posh! Fill it and enjoy water-flossing for incredibly clean teeth. Available at most retail and department stores or visit online at WaterPik.com.

Waterpik products for superior dental health.

Chandrika Ayurvedic Soap - Made in India, it is vegan and free from any type of animal fat. Made with high quality vegetable oils and genuine herbal extracts, it smells of sandalwood and is very gentle on your skin.

Lotus by Dr. K Softsonic Skincare - This is a very soft and gentle sonic cleanser which offers 10,000 sonic vibrations per minute and is waterproof. Much lighter and easier on my skin than my Clarisonic Face Brush, my pores are ultra clean now. Their Foaming Cleanser is good but you can use any type of facial cleanser. This brush travels easier too with the replaceable brush heads lasting between 3-6 months. Made in Korea. Visit Lotus-dr-k.com

Organic, natural skincare creams and lotions for face and body.

100% Natural and Organic Cremes and Lotions for Face & Body
We are literally swimming in chemicals and additives every day through cleaning products, air fresheners, polishes, etc. We don't need to add to this list with creams and lotions we put on our skin. Here are a few new favorites that are VERY pure and made without any additives: Tammy Fender Holistic Skin Care Custom Blended Formulations, Incredibalm Whipped Lemon Clarity Body Balm AND Hydrating Face & Neck Anti-Aging Night Balm, Suki Rescue Ultra Protect Body Balm. 

Let it all sink in: Derma Roller and JeNu Wand

The Derma Roller vs JeNu Wand This is getting major buzz on the beauty scene this spring. The Derma Roller has 540 tiny stainless steel needles that you run over your face to: stimulate collagen production, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, reduce enlarged pores, tighten and smooth the skin. Put your serums on and roll over your skin with this device to drive it down into the skin. Relatively painless, I did see an almost immediate improvement after two uses. A bit scary but they are easy to find and relatively inexpensive.

The JeNu Wand This unit uses ultrasonic pulses to drive serums down into the skin. Much more comfortable than the Derma Roller, the success of this unit may depend more on the quality of products you use. I don't really have many lines around my eyes or mouth so I can't say there was a marked improvement after using the JeNu Wand for several weeks. It did seem to increase hydration under my eyes and my lips do appear a little plumper and more moist. If you are looking for more drastic improvement for deeper lines and wrinkles, I think the Derma Roller will give better results. The JeNu Ultrasonic Infuser is rechargeable (charger included) and very easy to use.
Visit JeNu.com Online.

YSL Fusion Ink Foundation and Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Creme Foundation

New Trend in Makeup Foundations
Yves Saint Laurent Fusion Ink Foundation is by NO means a "natural" cosmetic. However I am including it along with NARS New All Day Luminous Foundation & Laura Mercier's Smooth Finish Flawless Fluid as examples of the newer, LIGHTER yet highly pigmented, long wearing products coming out. All three have a lot of dimethicone added to them (which I think is a BIG mistake) so they get major razzies on that point. However, if you are not sensitive to silicones, you may find you are able to get away with just a touch of these foundations as you need so little. I'm literally talking about one DROP of foundation. A minor concession then? 

NARS All Day Luminous Foundation

They look absolutely flawless, natural and feel like nothing on your skin, especially the NARS All Day Luminous Foundation.

Lauren Brooke Cosmetique Natural Creme Foundation This is THE WINNER. 100% Natural vitamins, minerals and pigments blended into a 97.5% Certified Organic Base. 

Formulated with beeswax, jojoba and argan oils, it may be a little rich for hot summer-wear. However, it is a fair trade-off to have an all natural foundation that melts into your skin like butter. Highly prized by makeup artists, MaqPro Palettes from Paris, France (Makeupfirst.com) are also beeswax based and look incredible on the runway. Lots of shades in Warm, Neutral and Cool. Visit Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Online.

Toss your old makeup sponges! Disney Fairy Sponges collaboration with Soho Beauty

Disney Fairy Princess Sponges - I don't know about you but I'm not too old to play with Disney Fairy Princess stuff. "Each fairy sponge grants you a flawless application!" These are very dense "Beauty Blender" type make up sponges which are great for all types of sheering out. These are what you should use to apply the new wax based palettes. They clean up well and are very durable. You get a set of three in the Grace Beauty Aurora Set (Sleeping Beauty) and a single large blender sponge in the Snow White set. See them at SohoBeauty.com

100% Mulberry Satin Pillowcases

Try Sleeping on Satin Pillowcases 
These ultra soft 100% Mulberry Satin Pillowcases from Sleep n Beauty are amazing for your skin and hair. These work to keep your skin smooth and soft partly due to the presence of silk amino acids which pamper both your skin and hair while you sleep. Sleep n Beauty gives you a set of x2 silk pillowcases per box presented as you see here. Change them frequently to help keep your skin clear of acne and breakouts. Spritz with a little Lavender Mist for an extra good night's sleep! Visit SleepnBeauty.com online.

Book a Dermatologist's Check Up...Online
The season's changing weather can bring new challenges to skincare: breakouts, sun damage, increased oiliness, etc.  This would be a good time to reassess your skincare routine moving forward into the warmer months. I had the chance to try out an online dermatologist service called YoDerm for my Acne.
You fill out a brief online form, upload three photos of your face and a certified dermatologist helps you to choose the skin care protocol that's best for you. This includes writing prescriptions for Retin-A and oral medications. This works for me because I am often traveling and may not always be able to get in to see my doctor before I leave. Check them out at YoDerm online.

On the go and ready for summer! Winter Garden Dress by Cindy + Johnny, CA

Makeup: Kett Hydro Foundation, Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Sonicare Toothbrush, YSL Foundation, Derma Roller and Soap - mine.
Skincare products and accessories c/o the companies included herewith. 

New Year's Resolution #1 - Clean Up Your Act! Soho Beauty Vanity

Get a fresh start on the New Year with an organized vanity!

Soho, NYC We all want a clean slate for 2014, don't we? Well, I've taken on the daunting task of reorganizing my walk in closet for the New Year. Call me crazy but I thought I would at least put a dent in my over-stocked nightmare by starting with my vanity. I'm just sick and tired of knocking things over and hunting through a forest of makeup brushes to find just the one I need.  O.k., I had some help:

Soho Beauty's Clean Up Your Act Primp it Beauty Vanity
This is the Chanel of makeup organizers and the half moon shaped mirror adds to the glamour! Made of clear acrylic, it is heavy so no worries about it toppling over no matter how much you load it with. As you can see, I have mine at maximum capacity and there's still a bit of room to spare. Super!

Soho Beauty Clean Up Your Act Primp It Beauty Organizer

Get Organized!
Having my makeup vanity organized like this saves so much time in the morning! I put all of my serums, moisturizers and primers in the organizer along with my makeup brushes. It's even allowed me more space for my Kett Jett Airbrush Makeup Compressor to have a permanent spot up top to use whenever I like.

This organizer holds a LOT with two sections to divide brushes for face & eyes.

Here are the product details from the Soho Beauty Website:

Don't be a bathroom hog! The "Clean Up Your Act" Primp-It Clear Beauty Vanity keeps all your makeup not only organized, but with a mirror! Tiered-out sections for all your brushes, tools, and tubes and an angled mirror so you can apply just about anywhere!!

• Space efficient
• Clear acrylic
• 4 lipstick slots
• 2 brush/tool cups
• 1 open deck
• Angled mirror
• 9"L x 7"W x 4"H

I even have space for my Conair True Reflections Makeup Mirror which is HUGE.

Clean Up Your Act Load & Stow
I have A LOT of cosmetics and tools so I'm adding the Soho Beauty Load & Stow organizer to my vanity top set. This will make a huge difference in how easily I can access my makeup tools. I will keep you up to date on my walk in closet transformation (with tips from LA Closet Designs) as I get things set up but suffice it to say it is now a pleasure getting ready in the am. Both these organizers are available exclusively at Walgreens. Here we found the Load & Stow on the shelf at our neighborhood store. The Primp It requires some assembly, (two screws to mount the mirror), but it was very easy. Fab!

Soho Beauty products are sold exclusively at Walgreens.

Makeup organizers c/o Soho Beauty

SoHo Beauty Clutches, HardCandy & China Glaze Happy HoliGlaze

Get your glam on! The Holidays are HERE and it's your time to sparkle. Travel in style with this SoHo Beauty French Twist Valet in Tweed and Studs!

Holiday time is sparkle time! The trees, homes and greeting cards are all a-glitter. So how about you? Add some shimmer and sparkle with these trendy accessories from SoHo Beauty starting with this French Twist Valet. Looks like an elegant tweedy studded clutch, doesn't it? Well, look inside and see that it's a full on travel case for all your makeup, nail laquers, brushes and more! The clear pouch is detachable held in place by clever velcro strips. You know makeup is one of the most important thing we pack for a holiday party. This clutch has room for it all.

Look, I can fit 6 large bottles of China Glaze Happy Holiglaze nail laquers in this chic valet!

Happy Holiglaze!
Sparkle isn't only for the Christmas lights, it's for your nails too. China Glaze has got you covered with their incredible Happy Holiglaze Collection of nail lacquers that remind me of Christmas Tree ornaments. These go on beautifully and glimmer like crazy. Mix and match or use them to accent your manicure with a bit of glittz. If these gorgeous glitters don't get you in the holiday mood, you're a Scrooge! These colors all contain nail hardener so they are great to help keep nails long and strong. Check out what else is "haute" at China Glaze Online.

Shimmery SoHo Beauty Metalic Wristlets Bags! Hard Candy Plumping Serum and Shadow Dancers Eye Shadows

Metallic Wristlets 
These Channelish Metallic Wristlets from SoHo Beauty are a perfect grab and go bag for a bit of evening twinkle. Enough room for your iPhone and some lip gloss (a woman's essentials) and some plastic, the little strap allows you to sport it as an accessory. Women used to carry their dance cards to the holiday balls in the same way!
"May I have this dance?"  See more of SoHo Beauty's lovely beauty essentials online.

Hard Candy is EYE Candy
Speaking of lip gloss, HardCandy's Plumping Serum Volumizing Lip Gloss in All American Girl is definitely something you'll want to keep with you for the party circuit. Apply it before you put on lipstick in the morning for juicy moist lips. Touch up your lipstick without adding more color with the Plumping Serum in this nude shade. Brilliant!

Shadow Dancers Eye Shadows
Super Creamy-Shimmery Duos in Movers and Shakers look like stardust and seafoam blue-green. The Rock & Roll Duo is more of a light heather and peach. These are buildable and can also be used as liner because of the thin sponge applicator. These are quite pigmented and actually dry quite quickly to a powder finish. They are not greasy so they don't crease and the matte finish still maintains the sheer sparkle. See more holiday goodies that are shiny at HardCandy.com

Lucky Gift Guide
These all make super gifts and stocking stuffers. Check out my other great gift ideas for this holiday season by clicking here.

HardCandy Shadow Dancers & Plumping Serum

Makeup and makeup accessories c/o HardCandy and SoHo Beauty respectively.